August 1

LAY NOT THIS SIN TO THEIR CHARGE

-Acts 7:57-60 states, … Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep …

-The beautiful secret to understanding this passage of scripture is to be found in the name STEPHEN. The name “Stephen” means crown. The word “crown” means: a headdress symbolizing royalty, achievement, or victory, a reigning monarch, pertaining to royal status and reward.

-Revelation 2:26 tells us that the overcomers will be given power over the nations: And they shall rule them with a rod of iron; … The next logical question would be, what causes one to qualify and be classified as an overcomer? The answer to this is found in the meaning of Stephen’s name.

-"Stephen", whose name means crown, symbolizing royalty, ruling, and reigning, dealt with his persecutors in LOVE AND FORGIVENESS. THIS IS AN OVERCOMER! He cried to the Lord with a loud voice, saying, … Lord, LAY NOT THIS SIN TO THEIR CHARGE … THOSE ARE THE WORDS OF AN OVERCOMER! Do they sound familiar? Remember … Jesus said, … Father, forgive them; FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO ( Luke 23:34 ) … These are the words of the overcomer of all overcomers. As well, Jesus said, … Be of good cheer; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD ( John 16:33 ) … How did He do it? He submitted His life to do the Father’s will, being a lover and a forgiver.

-In the same sense, we must lose our life for His name’s sake, being a lover and a forgiver. Someone who operates in this manner has truly grasped that heart of the Father. This person is truly an OVERCOMER! God is raising up a STEPHEN COMPANY of people who truly understand what is involved in qualifying for the CROWN OF LIFE. It is …

-SUBMISSION, LOVE, AND FORGIVENESS!-